Holiday Hangover

"They still have their Christmas lights up!"

I shrugged. I get it. They probably have the stomach flu, or the flu, or both. They are probably exhausted and every time they find a day or time to take down those lights it is too cold, or too windy or their children will not take a nap long enough for them to go to the bathroom let alone take down the elaborate decorations they so lovingly put up to bring others joy. But I am just guessing.

This morning we opened the last of our Christmas presents.  Not because my children have been opening gifts since Christmas we are finally at the last present. They only received one toy each on Christmas(more about this later). My sister-in-law sent a box for our boys and it arrived earlier this week. Because my husband was out of town I waited until today when he came home to open it. It was toys. She always buys them the best toys. The ones that are loud and make all sorts of sounds. Yes, she has children of her own. Now it feels like the holidays are over. *Sigh* Finally. 

 The gift most given at our home was germs this holiday. We struggled through much of December with someone sick. Will got bronchitis, I followed with weird flu, then family arrived and we had more flu, a stomach virus, a toddler with a stomach virus, a mystery rash. All the while a stuffy, teething baby. It was tough and some days were miserable. We watched plenty of movies and slept as much as possible. Our family came back to back so it was15 days straight of visitors in our home. Which was fun, but also exhausting. 

We love the Christmas season and this year we kept it super simple. We did decorate ugly sweater cookies and listen to music. There was the Christmas Eve service and baking. My husband is typically the "go big" one for Christmas but this year the craziest thing we did was a late-night trip to Target with all three children. We had an hour (or less) depending on children to get stocking stuffed and we went off in different directions.  It was kinda fun. We were able to keep it simple and like I stated before our children got one toy each and it was more than enough.  We decided to buy them only a few gifts this year and tried to stick with the popular theme of want, need, wear, read. I went a little crazy at Barnes and Noble sale but for the most part, we stuck to the plan. It was what we needed.

New years with the children was a toast at about 6:30 pm. I think we made it to 10 pm. And then it was 2018. Cue toddler with stomach flu. The second week my husband went out of town and I was in survival mode. That sounds bad but it was back to school, the last of our visitors left and my husband leaving all within 48 hours. It felt like a tornado. Somehow we made it through the week and it went pretty well. 

Now that things are settling back in we are in the THIRD week of the new year and I feel like I am just starting to get my bearings. I hope that 2018 is a little less crazy than 2017.  One can hope, right? 

I am hopeful for  2018. That I have time to do some reading, writing, maybe even running and plan some fun adventure for us. 

Happy Belated 2018! From a family that would still have their Christmas lights up if we had put them up :)